Fifty-two second year students from the class of 2013 at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine received their white coats in a ceremony held on Jan. 12, 2011. This is the sixth year that the White Coat Ceremony has existed in Colorado. The white coats are presented to the second year students as they prepare to enter the clinic floor.

The Oral Cancer Foundation is seeking dental professionals to screen patients next month in recognition of the 12th annual Oral Cancer Awareness Month. They will provide all the materials needed to conduct the screenings in addition to publicity for your location on their Website.

The Colorado State Board of Dental Examiners has a position open. The appointment will run through January 2012. The position would also be eligible for two additional four-year terms. The commitment includes quarterly full-board, monthly panel and additional committee meetings throughout the year.

If you would be interested in a board position - or know someone who would be good in the role - please contact the CDA at 303-740-6900 or 800-343-3010 for an application.

The annual Central Regional Dental Test (CRDT) was held at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine Feb. 19, 2011. The CDA and the CDA New Dentist Committee sponsored and hosted the hospitality suite for the 29 fourth-year students, their assistants and over 75 exam patients, providing breakfast and lunch.

Planning on buying a practice, starting a practice from the ground up or expanding your existing practice? The CDA endorses Banc of America Practice Solutions for practice loans. Members receive reduced loan administration fees.

What are non-covered services? Why do they matter to me?Recently, you’ve probably heard a lot of buzz about a “non-covered services bill” – a bill that would stop dental insurers from setting fees for services and procedures that they do not cover under a patient’s plan. You may be wondering what this is about, and why the CDA is spending so much time and energy on this issue.

The CDA welcomes and recognizes the following dentists as new members of the association and organized dentistry. For information about membership and exclusive benefits, please visit cdaonline.org or call 303-740-6900 or 800-343-3010.

Several dentists have contacted the CDA asking whether all office employees must now attend an OSHA training course, rather than sending just one designee.

OSHA training requirements have not changed. Training is and has always been required for all dental office employees who are at risk for occupational exposure. The requirements outlined by OSHA include:

In 2003, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) issued a policy statement, along with a number of medical organizations, discouraging disclosure of a provider’s DEA registration number to insurance companies or others not involved in the legal chain of distribution for controlled substances. There is concern that use of DEA numbers for provider identification purposes could increase instances of prescription fraud and diversion.